"Set apart for the gospel of God,"
Once we are slaves of the Messiah and celled to be apostles, we are intrinsically different from those around us. The third thing that Paul tells us is that he is specially separated out in order to be an emissary, a delegate of the gospel. The word for "set apart" means that he is marked off by boundaries, separated, appointed. Limited, even.
We've already talked about how God's people are "bond-servants". Remember, we have a hole punched in our ear. Everyone knows that we're different. Or at least they should.
Like the best friend tells every superhero, we are "special". Chosen. Our spiritual DNA has mutated and we now have access to a greater power than we ever imagined. We're no longer one of the general populace, but rather a unique breed. "A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." But though a superhero chooses to hide his identity to protect himself from the onslaught of villains, our enemy already knows our real identity and will attack us in any way possible. Let's not fool ourselves by thinking that if we hide from everyone else, our enemy will be deceived as well.
Most times, the superhero is likened to Christ. But for a moment, let's continue to draw the comparison with us. While the average superhero has been changed through no choosing of his own, he does make the choice to use his newfound abilities of the greater Good. Likewise, we can be the "dead man walking", OR we can use the power of salvation to be a witness for God.
But beware. The superhero uses his power to fight evil. We must use it to promote Good. It's not the same thing. Rarely do you see a superhero praising a citizen's actions or encouraging those around him to follow in his steps and fight evil as well. Rather, he swoops in, cleans up the mess, and vanishes.
We don't have the luxury of being the superhero. We have to stick around. We have to take care of the citizens. We're the ones that must convince them that they can be superheroes too.
But here's the catch: We have to live in a way that makes them WANT to.
About Me
- Kate M.
- I'm a writer. I used to write here, but now I'm mostly at relabelme.com
3 comments:
"We don't have the luxury of being the superhero. We have to stick around."
I like that.
I also like that you've written three complete entries on the first verse! Props.
set apart= aphorizo, to set off by boundary, limit, exclude, appoint, divide, separate, sever
The grammatic structure shows a
perfect passive participle, meaning something that is completed in the past, but the object of the action did not do it, it was done to him.
The same word is used in Mt 25:32 where it speaks of Jesus separating the righteous from the unrighteous at the great assembly before the throne. So we are already sorted out of the masses, with no connection to them whatsoever. We are simply guests here, until He comes to take us home. Our job here as ambassadors is to convince as many of the inhabitants of earth to join us as possible. Salt creates thirst.
"We're no longer one of the general populace, but rather a unique breed. "A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." "
When I read sentences like this, I feel scared. I have needs for safety and community that aren't met. Would you be willing to tell me what you hear when I say this? Would you be willing to listen when I tell you why?
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